Wilmington, NC News

Archive for December, 2013

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — A Bald Head Island ferry ran aground near Battery Island this morning, throwing passengers around the boat. A public information officer tells us 31 people were aboard this morning heading from Southport to BHI.

One passenger was flown to the hospital, 13 others were taken to regional hospitals.

Early on, the wreck reportedly caused at least five passengers to fall into the water, but that information was later amended.

One of the passenger called the newsroom and told us the ferry came to a sudden stop, throwing passengers around the boat. Some who were sitting inside hit tables.

The passengers who are okay are on their way back to Southport on another boat.

The Coast Guard is in charge of handling the accident. Here is their news release:

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to a report of multiple injuries after the Bald Head Island Ferry Adventure ran aground Tuesday in the vicinity of Battery Island near Southport, N.C.

The crew of the Adventure, a 64-foot ferry, contacted Coast Guard Station Oak Island watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 9 a.m., reporting they ran aground and passengers aboard were in need of medical assistance.

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued a marine assistance request broadcast and dispatched crews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and a 25-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Oak Island and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Bayberry to assist.

The crew of the Bayberry used their shallow water skiff to medevac 14 passengers from the Adventure and transfer them to the 47-foot MLB and the 25-foot RB-S. The crews aboard the two rescue boats then took the injured passengers to Deep Point Marina.

Partner agencies from Bald Head Island, Towboat US and the Brunswick Sherriff’s department helped recover the non-injured passengers and transferred them to the Bald Head Island Ferry Ranger.